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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Research methods and resources

State Health Disparities Research in Rural America: Gaps and Future Directions in an Era of COVID-19
Discusses research methods and partnerships to address rural health disparities. Highlights recommendations from a national workshop on rural health disparities, including community participation in rural health research, innovative research design, interventions that are relevant to rural challenges, and cultural competence in rural research.
Author(s): Lisa Cacari Stone, Mary C. Roary, Augusto Diana, Patricia A. Grady
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(3), 460-466
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
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Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan 2021–2025
Planning document presenting goals to address health disparities through scientific research, activities that sustain research, and outreach efforts. Describes health disparity populations, including racial and ethnic minority, rural, less privileged socioeconomic status (SES), and sexual and gender minorities (SGM) populations. Outlines plans to implement research projects and activities, and discusses Leap Forward priority areas that will advance research methods in minority health and health disparities.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), National Institutes of Health
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Preliminary Evaluation of Nonresponse Bias Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on National Health Interview Survey Estimates, April-June 2020
Examines potential nonresponse bias for the National Health Interview Survey associated with a shift to telephone-only interviewing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes data on changes in response rates for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Author(s): James M. Dahlhamer, Matthew D. Bramlett, Aaron Maitland, Stephen J. Blumberg
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Broadening Research Participation Through Community Engagement
Discusses the role of research in Community Health Centers (CHCs) and the potential impact on community and population health. Analyzes potential barriers to CHC research such as capacity, need for leadership, and more, while offering strategies based on collaboration and systemic research approaches. Includes information and data relevant to CHCs in rural areas.
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, National Association of Community Health Centers
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Combating Antimicrobial Resistance and Protecting the Miracle of Modern Medicine
Examines antimicrobial resistance and the problems facing population health, discussing health, economic, and infection prevention burdens. Chapter 5 highlights the University of Washington Tele-ASP program, which connect experts with antimicrobial stewardship teams at rural hospitals through telehealth. Offers recommendations for national action to address antimicrobial resistance.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Health Services and Primary Care Research Study
Presents the results of a study in 36 rural primary care practices, including rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Clinics, comparing Medicare Fee for Service behavioral therapy for obesity delivered to individual clients in clinics to in-clinic group visits delivered by clinical providers; and phone-based group visits delivered by a centralized provider. Participants included 1407 adults from rural areas over a 24 month period with a goal to identify the most effective therapy for rural settings.
Author(s): Peter Mendel, Courtney A. Gidengil, Andrada Tomoaia-Cotisel, et al.
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Hearing Norton Sound: Community Involvement in the Design of a Mixed Methods Community Randomized Trial in 15 Alaska Native Communities
Describes a community-based research project examining a telemedicine cell-phone based screening process to improve early detection and treatment of childhood hearing loss in rural Alaska. Community stakeholders assisted in shaping the research question, measurable outcomes, and project procedures. Serves as a model for community-based research in rural communities.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, S. Meade Inglis, Joseph J. Gallo, et al.
Citation: Research Involvement and Engagement, 6(67)
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Limited Access to Health Data on American Indian and Alaska Natives Impedes Population Health Insights
Presents a study on the lack of data on the health of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. Evaluates 8 different sets of population health data for AI/AN-specific data. Features an infographic outlining the findings.
Additional links: Infographic
Author(s): Tara L. Becker, Susan H. Babey, Riti Shimkhada, et al.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network for Underserved and Rural Communities
Describes the goals of the Institutional Development Awards States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network to provide research infrastructure to pediatrician scientists as well as run clinical trials related to healthcare for children, particularly for children in rural and underserved areas. Discusses the structure of the network, characteristics of ISPCTN states, sustainability efforts, and more.
Author(s): Robert D. Annett, Sheva Chervinskiy, Thomas H. Chun, et al.
Citation: Pediatrics, 146(4), e20200290
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
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A Non-Randomized Pilot Study to Test the Feasibility of Treating Chronic Pain and Opioid Prescription Use in Rural Areas with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (T-PACT)
Describes a pilot study examining research feasibility, methods, and processes for administering acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as a treatment for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and a possible alternative to prescribed opioids. The research team included four Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs that administered the study in rural areas of New Mexico, North Carolina, Kansas, and Kentucky. Discusses survey data and lessons learned from the pilot study, including unexpected barriers to participation.
Author(s): Robert L Rhyne, Heidi Rishel Brakey, Jacquie R. Halladay, et al.
Citation: Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 4(5), 472-476
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
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